Stroger Asking For Increase In Forest Preserve Budget

October 29, 1999

Cook County Board President John Stroger proposed a $137 million Forest Preserve District budget for the year 2000, which includes a $1.8 million increase in the amount of property taxes allocated to the district next year.

Stroger said the bump in taxes will cost the owner of a $150,000 home an extra $1.28, but will help the district begin to address its numerous maintenance needs. He said that the year 2000 "will see a renewed commitment to cleaner preserves."

"Our maintenance operation will undergo reorganization to ensure that appropriate attention is paid to the cleanliness of the preserves," Stroger said.

The budget now goes to the Forest Preserve District's Finance Committee.